THE NEW CABINET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 282, 2 December 1935, Page 8

THE NEW CABINET

LABOUR'S PROPOSALS SOME NAMES SUGGESTED Considerable interest attaches to the ma;inci in which the Ministerial portfolios will be distributed amongst the memb’ers of the new Labour Government. It has already been stated by Mr. Savage that the members of his Cabinet would be appointed on an elective system, in waich every member cf his Government would participate, states the Evening Post. Tile practice of recent Governments has been to vest tire authority of selecting Cabinet members in the hands of the Prime Minister. In this instance, after a Labour caucus has decided who the Ministers are to be, it will be left to Mr. Ravage to allocate the fortpolios. Tile present Ministry numbers ten, but this is two below its . usual strength, and of the ten, only nine were members of the elective Assembly. The Labour Party in the past has taken up the attitude that the portfolios of the last Government were unevenly distributed, and that the burdens of office were inequitably shared, with a consequent loss of efficiency in administration. In recugnp tion of this fact it is fairly certain that the portfolios ot the Labour Government will be distributed in such a manner that no one Minister will feel himself unduly burdened with, responsibility. It is reasonable to expect that the major portfolios will be handed to members of the party with Jong service and Parliamentary experience, though there are at least two new members whose claims, owing to special circumstances, may have to be considered. They are Mr. AV. L. Martin (Raglan)--who has had Parliamentary experience—and Dr. D. G. McMillan, the newly-elected member for Dunedin West. Amongst those who are considered likely to be selected for Ministerial honours arc the following:— Mr. XV. E. Barnard, Napier. Air. P. Fraser, Wellington Central. Mr. XV. J. Jordan, Manukau. Mr. J. A. Lee, Grey Lynn, Mr. XV. L. -Martin, Raglan. Air. XV. Nash, Hutt. Mr. F. XV. Schramm, Auckland East. Mr. D. G. Sullivan, Avon. Mr. P. C. XVebb, Buller. Mr. R. McKeon, XVellington South. Mr, 11. Semple, Wellington East. It. is thought that Mr. Savage, who, by virtue of his office of Prime Minister, who have first claim on the port--I'oiio of Finance, may hand this to- Mr. Nash. The first position the new Government will have to fill is that of the Speaker, and opinion favours the appointment of Air. H. G. R. Mason ( Auckland Suburbs), whose legal training and knowledge of the Standing Orders would equip him for the post.

LABOUR’S POLICY TWELVE POINTS STATED. Speaking at the Town Hall, XVellington, on November 5, Mr. Savage summarised Labour’s programme as follows; — J. Immediately restore the cuts made in all pensions, and, where lull pensions a:e involved, place them on a basis of a reasonable standard of life. Establish a national system ur superannuation which will be payable to all citizens beginning at 60 years of age, or invalidity, and extending in accordance with scientific development and incicased production. 3. Restore superannuation rights of all civil servants. 5. Assume control of the public credit and establish a national credit authc-rity whose duty it will be to jii'ovide money service sufficient to give effect to the will of Parliament. (5. Organise a national health service based upon universal insurance; providing jor payment for services rendered, whether in the home or the public institution; and safeguarding lights of friendly so-cieties. 7. Re-establish all able-bodied workers in the industries, public works, and services of the Dominion at rates of pay that will enable them to obtain an equitable share of the country’s total production, 8. Guarantee economic prices to farmers and others who arc producing in accordance with the Dominion’s requirements; and further extend primary and secondary industries. 9. Provide adequate protection f°r secondary industries which can be economically developed in the Dominion, (In this connection it is the intention of Labour to- maintain Customs tariffs where necessary until industry can be protected by substantial control of external trade.) 10. Readjust mortgages on the basis of guaranteed prices beginning at an avetage of prices ruling during the past eight or ten years. 11. Extend the activities c-f the Education Department in providing free education from the kindergarten to the university —including the reinstatement of five-year-old children in primary schools. 12. Co-opt the services of all members who are elected to- support Labour in order io obtain their full service in the shaping and administration of the law. ==J ====